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Closer ties between Putrajaya and Sejong, Korea

A LETTER of Intent (LoI) was signed at the Putrajaya Corporation headquarters recently to mark cooperation between Putrajaya and the Sejong Metropolitan Autonomous City in South Korea.

The LoI marks a milestone in diplomatic ties for both cities to work together in the field of economy, culture and tourism, city and transportation development, as well as environment.

Both cities share a bond as they both serve as administrative cities.

Sejong is the South Korea’s new administrative city and is named after King Sejong who introduced Hangul, the alphabet system of the Korean language.

In his speech, Sejong mayor Yoo Hanksik said the city would regard Putrajaya as a close friend and partner for the co-development of both cities.

“Putrajaya became our reference from the planning stage of city construction.

“Sejong has plans to become an ‘intelligent smart city’, with advanced ICT; a ‘low carbon green city’, which has more than 50% of green lands, and a ‘smart educational city’ with start of the art facility,” he said.

Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat said the visit had proven Malaysia’s capability of developing a city as good as other developed nations.

“We are proud that a fast developing country like South Korea has made Putrajaya its benchmark in developing its new administrative city.

“It is an honour for us and good branding as it is not easy to be chosen as a partner of a developed country that is respected internationally.

“Not only can Sejong learn from us in terms of planning, development and administration, we can also learn from them in terms of managing a green city, transportation, ICT and more,” he said.

Han said they hoped to attract most of the major South Korean government agencies and industries, including 36 government agencies, to move in by the end of next year.

“We hope that Sejong City will be an effective administrative centre and we hope to achieve balanced growth.

“We also hope the population can reach more than 1mil, a number which is ideal for a metropolitan city,” he said.

According to Aseh, a delegation from PPj visited Sejong last year.

“We can learn from them about green technology and we hope to see more Korean investors here and make Putrajaya their transit point,” he said.

He added that a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed in Sejong at a later date.